Beverages to enjoy and avoid during pregnancy

We are often asked what pregnant mamas can and cannot drink while pregnant. We compiled a list that we hope you find helpful.

Coffee:

There is a lot of research that says you can, or should not drink caffeine. I encourage you to do your research and decide if this is something you feel comfortable drinking. Many women have 1-2 cups of coffee per day and experience no ill effects on baby.

Soft drinks:

Clear, non- diet, and once- in-a- while sodas can be okay if again, you are comfortable drinking it during your pregnancy. Examples would be Gingerale, Sprite, Sierra Mist, and carbonated water.

Most soft drinks, especially diet soft drinks, are filled with high sugar counts (or artificial sugars) and high sodium counts, not to mention caffeine. It is best to avoid these types of drinks if possible.

Teas:

Many women enjoy tea as part of their daily routine. With pregnancy, you do want to know which ones are best to have, and which ones are best to avoid.

Best to avoid:

Yes herbs are natural, but they may not all be safe. Remember they each have actions and indications and pregnancy is not the time to find out the hard way which ones do what. Some herbs may be strong diuretics, produce toxic effects to you and baby, and can stimulate the uterus to cause contractions. If you are unsure about any herbal tea, it is always best to just avoid them.

These are herbs that you should avoid during pregnancy:

*Black Cohosh / Blue Cohosh

*Devil’s claw

*Dan Gui / Don Quai

*Ephedra

*Fenugreek

*Genetian

*Ginseng

*Motherwort

*Penny Royal

*shepherd’s Purse

*St John’s Wort

*Yarrow

Best to have:

*Ginger Tea: Ginger tea is a beloved of many because it tastes good, it smells good and most of all, it can help with that awful morning (or, all day sickness). It helps the digestion and settles the stomach. Having a fresh root on hand and using a few slices in hot water is the best way to drink it. Fresh ginger works better than dried bagged tea because the enzymes are still fresh. These enzymes are what helps ginger work its magic. You can have a few cups a day, but like everything else, it should be used in moderation. Up to 3 cups a day is okay. It is very warm and aids in protecting against colds and flus.

*Nettle Tea: Nettle tea has many nutrients that our bodies love. It has high levels of iron, magnesium, calcium, vitamin B, C, E, and K. It helps to improve circulation, helps with water retention, muscle tone, arteries and skin. 1-2 cups a day is ok.

*Strawberry Leaf: It is sweet and cooling. It protects against miscarriage. 1-2 cups a day is ok.

*Peppermint Tea: Peppermint is also cooling. It helps clear the head, relax muscles, relaxes the stomach and helps with settling the stomach with nausea in pregnancy. It also contains vitamin C, beta-carotene, and B vitmains. 1-2 cups is okay.

*Rose Hips: Rose hips contains many vitamins such as E, Selenium, manganese, B complex vitamins, magnesium and potassium. Very high in vitamin C, this tea is great to boost your immune system, prevent UTI’s, helps with hypertension and is good for exhaustion. 1-2 cups is okay.

*Rooibos Tea: Roobios or redbush tea has high polyphenols and other nutrient rich antioxidants, calcium and magnesium. It is a caffeine free tea is used to ease colic and reflux in children, and eases digestion in adults. It helps with anxiety and insomnia and several skin conditions, such as pregnancy acne (where is that glow?!) 1-2 cups is okay.

*Raspberry Leaf Tea: This is a well-known tea that many women have turned to to prepare the uterus for labor. It helps to tone and strengthen the uterus. Drank later in pregnancy, it is used to prevent false labor, miscarriage, and the risk of postpartum hemorrhage. Raspberry leaf tea is also known to increase milk supply. It is high in calcium and magnesium. At about 24 weeks on, it is safe to drink Raspberry tea, unless directed not to by your Dr. Raspberry tea is not recommended for women with history of miscarriage.

*Dandelion Leaf Tea: This tea is a bitter herb that is high in potassium and is a natural diuretic. Because of its diuretic properties, it is best to have this tea later in pregnancy. It helps gently with water retention.

Happy drinking!

As always, the information above is for general information purposes only and is not intended to be medical advice.